Cameron Loadman, 53, of Old Sarum, pleaded guilty to damaging property at the Well pharmacy on Winchester Street, Salisbury on two separate occasions, at Salisbury Magistrates Court on February 4.

On June 4 last year, Mr Loadman damaged items in the pharmacy valuing £68. Then, on September 10, he intentionally damaged a Perspex COVID screen in the pharmacy, the court heard.

He also pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words and behaviour likely to cause another person to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed when in Salisbury that same day.

Mr Loadman was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 of compensation by the court.

A Well spokesperson told C+D: “Mr Loadman pleaded guilty and justice has been served. We don’t tolerate abusive behaviour in our pharmacies and have worked with our property team and the police to ensure the safety of our patients and colleagues.”

In February, a pharmacist in Northern Ireland was physically assaulted for asking a customer to wear a face mask.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, pharmacists have noted an increase in abuse from patients, leading the General Pharmaceutical Council to release a statement highlighting the issue.

A C+D survey in April and May 2020 revealed that waiting longer for medicines had been the most common trigger for abuse, according to pharmacists.